Our exclusive series of interviews with famous chefs who are also parents concludes today with this advice from chef Charlie Palmer.

Celebrated chef Charlie Palmer has combined his creative cooking spirit and flair for business to open 13 notable restaurants across the country, including the highly acclaimed Aureole, a growing collection of food-forward wine shops, and award-winning boutique hotels. A James Beard Foundation honoree and the author of numerous cookbooks, Palmer continues to be one of the world’s most innovative and important chefs.

A father to four boys, Palmer knows a thing or two about dining out with kids. To make sure your children remain engaged, he recommends, “Remember to take something with you to entertain the kids. A fun activity between courses or after you order can really improve the overall experience. When my family dines out, we sometimes take ‘Table Topics’ with us, and then we each go around the table with a trivia card. It takes up the time between courses and everyone is entertained.”

Until you know your kids will enjoy an extended meal, Palmer says, “Don’t take them to a high-end restaurant when the experience will take multiple hours if your child doesn’t like sitting still for that long. You would be better off taking them to a restaurant that is loud, active, and a bit quicker.” Also, he adds, “If you know your child has certain food allergies, call ahead to the restaurant and see how flexible they can be with the menu to determine if it’s going to be a good situation for you.”

True to form, this chef serves food his offspring enjoy! He admits, “My kids love all of the dishes. They aren’t allowed to order anything ‘special’ anymore, they have to order off the menu and experience the food the way the chefs intended!”

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? If you’re an OpenTable user, you’re probably dining out. According to a recent survey, more than 60% of respondents are dining out on the last day of the decade. The most popular reservation times are between 7PM and 9PM (so book your tables today!), and the most popular dishes celebrants will dine on are steak and lobster (proving that surf and turf never really gets old). Most people are spending as much or more than they did last year, and, as the economy slowly bounces back, an impressive 11% of survey takers indicated they were going to spend more than $150 per person on their last meal of the decade.

If you’re looking to make December 31, 2009, a night to really remember, consider one of these 10 spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations around the nation.

1. Charlie Trotter’s: Guests at Chef Trotter’s legendary Lincoln Park restaurant will start their evening with a Champagne and canapé reception. A luxurious multi-course tasting menu featuring the finest ingredients will be followed by a midnight toast. At $350 per person, this is a must for Chicago’s foodies.

2. Sixteen: Sixteen restaurant at Chicago’s Trump International Hotel & Tower will feature a “Fire and Ice” themed evening for $310. Guests will be greeted by cylindrical fire centerpieces and hostesses decked out in red designer dresses. An extravagant eight-course tasting menu prepared by Chef Frank Brunacci with wine pairings is bested only by the prime view of the midnight fireworks off of Chicago’s Navy Pier.

3. The Bazaar by José Andrés: Trip the light fantastic and ring in the New Year, Beverly Hills-style, with friends for a decadent night of revelry at America’s best restaurant — and stay the night. For just $689 per couple, you’ll get dinner for two at the Bazaar by José Andrés, tickets for two to the SLS New Year’s Eve Gala, and room accommodations at a special New Year’s Eve rate.

4. Carbon Beach Club at the Malibu Beach Inn: Nothing beats dining on the beach under the stars, and that is exactly what you can do at the Carbon Beach Club. Treat yourself to a six-course prix-fixe menu including a complimentary glass of Champagne and party favors as you greet the new year to the sounds of the California surf for just $175 per person.

5. Aureole: Everything old is new again at Manhattan’s Aureole, Charlie Palmer’s relocated and renovated restaurant. For $500 per person, diners will feast on a five-course chef tasting menu with wine pairings, DJ entertainment, and a Champagne toast, just steps from Times Square.

6. Two Times Square: If you want an unforgettable evening, Two Times Square in New York City is the place to spend it. Guests can relish an open bar, a five-course meal with wine pairings, music, and more – not to mention the very best view of the ball dropping in Times Square, all for just $2,500 per person.

7. Meritage at the Claremont: The new Meritage at the Claremont in Berkeley is celebrating its first New Year’s in grand culinary style! Executive Chef Josh Thomsen has prepared a special five-course dinner, accompanied by live music and including a Champagne toast, party favors and parking. This all-inclusive evening is $390 per couple.

8. MICHAEL MINA: Located on San Francisco’s storied Union Square in the Westin St. Francis Hotel, Michael Mina’s signature restaurant is serving a magnificent five-course tasting menu and wine pairing for $350 per person. Celebrants will enjoy live jazz and dancing later in the evening.

9. Michel Richard Citronelle: Georgetown gastronomes need look no further than their own backyard for fine dining on New Year’s Eve. Michel Richard is presenting a gourmand six-course meal and wine pairing. Beginning with hors d’oeuvres in the lounge, the evening winds down with a vintage Champagne toast at midnight. Noisemakers, hats and dancing round out the festivities, which cost $450 per person. Dressing up is a must.

10. Plume at the Jefferson Hotel: Party like a President at Plume at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C. Located in a Beaux Arts jewel of a hotel that is inspired by Monticello, Plume is serving a six-course tasting menu created by Damon Gordon. You’ll also enjoy musical entertainment, party favors, and a Champagne toast for $225 per person.

December 31, 2009 isn’t just the last day of the year, it’s the last day of the decade — so, you “aught” to celebrate in style! If you find yourself flush with a bit of extra cash after the gift-giving holidays have passed, you can ring in the new year (and decade) in a number of magnificent ways.

Here are 10 Manhattan restaurants that are welcoming 2010 with a bit of panache:

21 Club: If you miss old New York, you don’t have to, thanks to 21 Club. For $225 per person, you can enjoy a four-course dinner and dancing in this legendary location.

Ajna: For “Top Chef” fans, there’s no better place to raise a glass (and a fork and a knife!) than at Ajna, where “Top Chef” winner Hung Huynh will be preparing a special five-course meal for $275 per person.

Asiate: $295 gets you sweeping views of the city on this special night – along with a sumptuous six-course dinner and dancing at this gem located on the 35th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel.

Aureole: Everything old is new again at Aureole, Charlie Palmer’s relocated and renovated restaurant. For $500 per person, diners will feast on a five-course chef tasting menu with wine pairings, DJ entertainment, and a Champagne toast, just steps from Times Square.

Daniel: Daniel Boulud’s signature restaurant is serving a gala dining menu in five courses for $595. In addition to fabulous food, there will be live music, a DJ, and dancing at this Michelin favorite.

Eleven Madison Park: Fresh off rave reviews and earning its first Michelin star, this crown jewel in restaurateur Danny Meyer’s empire will be serving a seven-course holiday tasting menu. Live music and views of Madison Square Park promise to make the night festive and romantic.

The Oak Room: This recently refurbished New York landmark in the famed Plaza Hotel will serve an elegant five-course tasting menu (with Champagne) for $295 per person. A burlesque themed party begins in the adjoining Oak Bar at 11PM.
Russian Tea Room: You’ll feel transported by the atmosphere at this fabled midtown favorite – not to mention pampered. The second seating includes a 5-course dinner, dancing, and an open bar for $500 per person. Cheers!

SHO by Shaun Hergatt: Chef Shaun Hergatt is preparing a lavish 5-course menu in this Financial District hotspot. A live band and a Champagne toast are included in the $250 per person pricetag.

Two Times Square: If you want an unforgettable evening, Two Times Square is the place to spend it. Guests can relish an open bar, a five-course meal with wine pairings, music, and more – not to mention the very best view of the ball dropping in Times Square, all for just $2,500 per person.

You can find reservations at hundreds more New York area restaurants on New Year’s Eve here. If you’re going to be on the road, visit our international New Year’s Eve page to find deals and offers wherever you’re celebrating.

Caroline Potter

Caroline Potter is the Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable, Inc. She’s a dining trend-spotter and an OpenTable VIP, who dines out more than she eats in and has accrued more than 10,000 Dining Rewards points. Caroline started working in restaurants as a teen and she's since tackled every front-of-the-house job, from bartender and hostess to runner and server. She trained as a chef at Manhattan’s prestigious French Culinary Institute, cooking at L’Ecole. In addition to her role at OpenTable, she has written about food from farm to table for New York City’s famed Greenmarket and Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End magazines. Caroline is also a Certified Master Gardener.